The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: Nocturnal on February 12, 2008, 06:01:50 PM

Title: True FenderBird??
Post by: Nocturnal on February 12, 2008, 06:01:50 PM
So would this be what you would consider a true FenderBird in the JAE tradition?

http://www.bassnw.com/Used%20Basses/gibson_1976_fenderbird_black.htm


(If this is not the proper place for this post I truly appologize.)
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: TBird1958 on February 12, 2008, 06:44:00 PM
 That bass was owned by the girl who played for Witchburn, a Seattle area metal band, at $1500.00 I think its a steal! If I had the $$$ I'd be there. If any one from the forum is interested I can go look at it later this week, BassNW is 20minutes from my house.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: gweimer on February 12, 2008, 11:07:09 PM
I'm moving next month.  I have GOT to stop clicking on things like this.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: chromium on February 12, 2008, 11:21:35 PM
A tangential thought (those never happer here, right?) - there was an Epi Elitist on Ebay last week just like mine, minus the headstock (well... it was included, but unless you're Dr. Bassman...).  Anyway - starting bid was $199, it didn't sell, and I just realized that it might make a fun Fenderbird project for someone.  Here's the link in case anyone wants to ping the seller about it:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Elitist-Thunderbird-Bass-Project-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ220198980220QQihZ012QQcategoryZ33037QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

That Fenderbird looks sweet!
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: uwe on February 13, 2008, 04:13:32 AM
"A tangential thought (those never happer here, right?)"

What the hell is he talking about?  ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: gweimer on February 13, 2008, 09:46:18 AM
I was watching that Epi Elitist.  Again, temptation keeps tugging at me.  I already have a bridge, and my luthier would make quick work of that neck.  I think I'm going to sit tight on basses for the moment - I've got the BaCHbird coming and a Scroll bass sometime in the summer.

Maybe when I get into another band, I'll start looking to add to the collection more.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: chromium on February 13, 2008, 10:19:31 AM
and a Scroll bass sometime in the summer.

That's going by fast - at least it seems that way to me.  Probably not to you, since you're the one waiting on it.  :)

When you do get it, I would love to hear it in action on a recording.  I've never heard one of his Scrolls before, but have always been intrigued by them.  There was a fretless on Ebay a couple of years back for not much more than what I paid for my oddball SLM AEB-1 reissue prototype thing.  I just couldn't justify another fretless electric, when I hardly play the one I have.  In hindsight, I maybe should have bid on it and just had it fretted.  They sure look nice - obviously labors of love!
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: OldManC on February 13, 2008, 12:11:53 PM
That is a cool mod, but it couldn't be considered a true Fenderbird IMO. JE had bodies made to his specs and used guts that he supposedly bought up. Plus, he used all maple P necks. That being said, I think I'd like the one linked above even more.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: PWV on February 13, 2008, 01:49:00 PM
I was wondering about this one... but I'm tapped out from my recent Gibson binge (probably another thread on this soon).....

Bass NW is great - straight up customer-service, no BS. 
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: gweimer on February 13, 2008, 06:02:41 PM
Quote
That's going by fast - at least it seems that way to me.  Probably not to you, since you're the one waiting on it. 

It's not as bad as I thought.  Things have been pretty hectic at work, so the time is going by pretty quick.  The original date was supposed to be in April, but it's running a little late.  I'm gonna blame R&B's custom bridge for his lefty '53 EB bass.    ;D
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: Chris P. on February 14, 2008, 03:48:19 AM
it's a nice price. I like it. Of course a real Fenderbird has a non reversed body, but I think I like this combination more! It's a bit like the guitar of the singer of.... and now yhe band name has escaped me... I'll think about it. It's discussed before.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: uwe on February 14, 2008, 03:57:45 AM
I know JE did it for road stability and to cut through better and that the Fenderbird has since become an icon of its own (I have one myself), but honestly guys, that plain and plump Fender neck is no match for the elegance and feel of an original TBird neck thru construction.

Uwe
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: Iome on February 14, 2008, 08:08:08 AM
Did anybody see this?: http://www.bassnw.com/Used%20Basses/gould_thunderbird_4_st_VSB.htm

Never heard about Gould, who knows how it sounds... ???
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: Barklessdog on February 14, 2008, 08:12:05 AM
Quote
Of course a real Fenderbird has a non reversed body,

That's actually false. He used slab style Reverse bodies and put non reverse style pickguards on them.
 Look closely here-
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/Fenderbird/Fendbent.jpg)
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: uwe on February 14, 2008, 08:45:50 AM
Good point - I never actually realized that with the non rev pickguard on a rev body.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/redfunall.jpg)
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: TBird1958 on February 14, 2008, 09:05:16 AM

Uwe,

 If you just can't live with that F'Bird let me know........it's fantastic. Thanks for the pic



Did anybody see this?: http://www.bassnw.com/Used%20Basses/gould_thunderbird_4_st_VSB.htm

Never heard about Gould, who knows how it sounds... ???


This used to my bass tho I sold it about a year and a half back, I took a chance on it.........Its NOT a good instrument, more like a cheap 'ho.  I would say your $$$$ are certainly better spent on a Bach NR. If nothing else Rob (Basvarken) and Uwe are taking care to see that these will be much better versions.
Please avert your eyes from it now!


Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: Barklessdog on February 14, 2008, 09:10:38 AM
Quote
Good point - I never actually realized that with the non rev pickguard on a rev body

Could of been Entwistle's sense of humor & irony. A non reverse reverse or a Reverse non reverse

I always laughed at the story that his aunt or someone died of lung cancer from smoking and when they cremated her smoke came out of the smoke stack as they left and Entwistle commented "see she still is smoking" or something to that effect.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: Dave W on February 14, 2008, 10:23:35 AM
Good point - I never actually realized that with the non rev pickguard on a rev body.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v615/uwehornung/redfunall.jpg)

You need to talk to Bert Gerecht about his Funderbird page (http://www.hotwire-bass.de/basses/funderbird/seiten/funderbird_en.htm). He's still got your sound samples up, but he links to a long-gone thread from DPv.1.
Title: Re: True FenderBird??
Post by: Iome on February 14, 2008, 01:45:18 PM
This used to my bass tho I sold it about a year and a half back, I took a chance on it.........Its NOT a good instrument, more like a cheap 'ho.  I would say your $$$$ are certainly better spent on a Bach NR. If nothing else Rob (Basvarken) and Uwe are taking care to see that these will be much better versions.
Please avert your eyes from it now!


Just curious, I'm waiting for the Bachbird too, it's even cheaper....